DIY CO2 questions

I've got a 20 gallon long aquarium that I'm hoping to set up with DIY CO2. I have all of the necessary equipment (diffuser, airline tubing, check valves, and suction cups), but I'm wondering what else I need. Also, how much of the yeast/sugar/water mixture would I need for a 20 gallon?

I've got a 20 gallon long aquarium that I'm hoping to set up with DIY CO2. I have all of the necessary equipment (diffuser, airline tubing, check valves, and suction cups), but I'm wondering what else I need. Also, how much of the yeast/sugar/water mixture would I need for a 20 gallon?
S
Thanks!

It's all the same you should be good with the standard mix. 2 cups sugar 1/2 tsp yeast 1 tsp baking soda. I have a 37 gal I'm good with one 2 liter for a month. My plants doubled in size in 2 weeks when I started with DIY co2. I use 1 cup of brown sugar with 1 cup of white sugar. I use really warm water until the sugar is dissolved, then when the sugar is dissolved I take a cup of the sugar water and mix in the yeast while its still warm. This activates the yeast quicker. Then comes the baking soda, pour it all in to a 2 liter bottle and shake. I usually get bubbles in 45-60 minutes. Good luck!

It's all the same you should be good with the standard mix. 2 cups sugar 1/2 tsp yeast 1 tsp baking soda. I have a 37 gal I'm good with one 2 liter for a month. My plants doubled in size in 2 weeks when I started with DIY co2. I use 1 cup of brown sugar with 1 cup of white sugar. I use really warm water until the sugar is dissolved, then when the sugar is dissolved I take a cup of the sugar water and mix in the yeast while its still warm. This activates the yeast quicker. Then comes the baking soda, pour it all in to a 2 liter bottle and shake. I usually get bubbles in 45-60 minutes. Good luck!

Okay, got some new questions. I set up the system, and the bottle is producing CO2 (I can feel the pressure when I squeeze the bottle), but nothing is coming out of the diffuser. I put hot glue around where the airline tubing goes into the cap, and every other connection is a very tight fit (the airline tubing going into the cap was too, just wanted to make sure). Any ideas?

When you squeeze the bottle does bubbles come out of the diffuser?
What diffuser are you using?
If you remove the diffuser can you get bubbles out of the tubing?
Some diffusers take a lot of pressure to run. While it could be possible to get bubbles out of them they cause the system pressure to go up and any suspect joints could leak. Next would be to soapy water test all your joints for leaks.

When you squeeze the bottle does bubbles come out of the diffuser?
What diffuser are you using?
If you remove the diffuser can you get bubbles out of the tubing?
Some diffusers take a lot of pressure to run. While it could be possible to get bubbles out of them they cause the system pressure to go up and any suspect joints could leak. Next would be to soapy water test all your joints for leaks.

Cotton ball would probably fall apart. I went the applicator pad route. Was like $1.50 for 6 of them at the store. And each one gets cut up into tiny pieces.

But, I also wouldn't suggest that being your permanent method. Maybe use it until you find a better way to diffuse the CO2. With the small amount you get with DIY vs Pressurized already, a bad diffusion method doesn't exactly make it better.

Sounds like you have a leak. I think hot glue is to rigid, use aquarium silicone. Its much more flexible. Make sure you put silicone on both sides of the cap. The diffuser I use is a syringe stffed with cotton,under a bell to trap the gas. It works well.

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